The advantages of hemp biocomposites
The round table during the training in the " Hemp University " is one of the panel speakers will be devoted to the state of Ukrainian market of biocomposite materials , made on the basis of raw hemp . In addition, negotiations are underway with the owners of a company that plans to create hemp pulp production capacities in Ukraine to present at the event a concept for the development of this project planned for implementation in our country.
The pages of the profile electronic publication of Ukrainian hemp breeder, which is one of the projects of the Ukrainian Technical Cannabis Association, repeatedly described the trends observed in modern economically developed countries of the world aimed at replacing fossil raw materials, as well as products derived from them, with environmental alternatives from natural materials. This material describes some points related to the production of hemp biocomposites.
Traditional plastics, known to environmentalists as “white trash,” are a significant environmental hazard. Plastic products thrown into the landfill not only negatively affect the appearance of the surroundings of big cities, but also significantly degrade the quality of soil, groundwater, and if they are burned, they emit toxic gases that poison the atmosphere.
On the one hand, traditional plastic causes tremendous damage to the environment, on the other hand, people can no longer do without convenient and practical items made of plastic. The search for alternatives to plastics made from fossil raw materials has already become one of the priorities of the governments of a number of economically developed states.
How to make plastic from technical hemp
Ordinary plastic is made of polymer chains derived from petroleum products that make plastics transparent, fairly strong and durable, which brings comfort and convenience to the lives of people using them. However, traditional plastics that are thrown away after use take hundreds of years to undergo biodegradation, while a huge amount of greenhouse gases are released. The high content of cellulose contained in industrial hemp can replace the synthetic materials necessary for the production of polymer chains. For the manufacture of hemp plastics, cellulose at appropriate production capacities is removed from hemp stems, and subsequently combined with a catalyst to accelerate the replication of polymers. Then, the resulting substance is mixed with the necessary additives for this and heated in order to make the hemp-based biocomposite material more flexible. After cooling, the resulting hemp plastic is usually cut into granules and sent to manufacturing plants. Hemp biocomposites can be used in almost all the same areas where traditional plastics are used.
Technical hemp is an excellent raw material for green plastic
Technical hemp ingredients are a good source of raw materials for the production of modern biodegradable plastics. A key component of any plastic is cellulose. When searching for the ideal source of raw materials for plastic production, materials that contain high cellulose concentrations must be used. In addition to hemp, the two main sources of organic cellulose are cotton and wood. On average, wood contains about 40% cellulose, while cotton has a cellulose concentration of about 90% and hemp from 65 to 75%. Despite the fact that the amount of hemp pulp is less than in cotton, the latter requires more water, pesticides and fertilizers for growth and development. In combination with the environmental impact, industrial hemp is significantly superior to cotton as a source of pulp.
Environmentally friendly manufacturing process . The production of hemp biocomposite materials is much less harmful to the environment than the technological processes of creating traditional plastics. Traditional plastics are made from fossil fuels, including those extracted by refining or hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is a process in which a deep rock containing oil and natural gas is destroyed by a liquid under high pressure. Although energy companies position fracking as a “clean” method, the fact is that fracking can pollute air, soil, and produce harmful toxins. Technologies for using industrial hemp for the manufacture of plastics are much more environmentally friendly and do not bring as many negative effects on the environment as traditional methods for producing cellulose from fossil resources.
Biodegradability . One of the most important characteristics of hemp plastics is biodegradability. Conventional plastic bags decompose over hundreds of thousands of years, and plastics made from hemp cellulose can be completely dissolved in nature in just three to six months. Hemp is an ideal substitute for disposable products such as plastic straws.
Non toxicity . Some chemicals found in traditional plastics are potentially carcinogens and can damage human immunity. Polyvinyl chloride contained in non-food plastics, when heated, produces harmful substances such as dioxins that damage the liver, central nervous system and circulatory system. Burning traditional plastic can also lead to toluene, which leads to blindness and vomiting. Plastics made from industrial hemp do not have this “toxicity”.
Commentary of the Ukrainian Technical Hemp Association
" Porsche created the first cannabis racing car ," " LEGO will use hemp for all toys produced by 2030. " Such initiatives by large international companies illustrate the market potential of industrial cannabis-based bioplastics.
Within the framework of the Hemp University , a specialized association of Ukrainian hemp growers is planning to hold a round table this autumn on “ Hemp raw materials: technologies for its use in construction and the production of biocomposite materials and furniture ”. Within the framework of this event, one of the speaker panels will be devoted to the state of the Ukrainian market of biocomposite materials based on hemp raw materials. In addition, negotiations are underway with the owners of a company that plans to create hemp pulp production capacities in Ukraine to present at the event a concept for the development of this project planned for implementation in our country.